In the early 2000s, twelve states in northern Nigeria adopted Sharia (Islamic) law into their legal codes. Why did they do this?It was bigger than Islam and Muslims. Sharia was part of a desire to purify northern society and return it to a revered bygone era, AND ironically - was part of a religious revival in both Islam and Christianity. Although other countries have Sharia, Nigeria's Sharia is more stringent than most other countries, which has contributed to its controversial status in Nigeria, and the violence between Christians and Muslims regarding it.